Tyreek Hill, the Miami Dolphins’ star wide receiver, will play in Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals despite dealing with a foot injury. His participation is significant for Miami, as their offensive dynamic has been lacking without quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who was activated on Saturday after a long recovery. Tagovailoa has been in concussion protocol since September 12, following a third concussion suffered during a game against the Buffalo Bills, and had missed the Dolphins’ last four games while on injured reserve.

Tagovailoa’s return is particularly emotional for the Dolphins, as both players and fans eagerly anticipate the reformation of his strong connection with Hill. Hill shared his excitement about seeing Tagovailoa at practice for the first time on Wednesday, highlighting the emotional impact of his presence on the field. Hill expressed deep admiration for Tagovailoa, reflecting on the connection they shared on deep plays during practice and how meaningful it is to have him leading the offense again.

Tua Tagovailoa
Tua Tagovailoa (NFL)

Hill described the emotional experience of reuniting with Tagovailoa, sharing that their chemistry on deep shots felt like old times. The wide receiver even joked about how he missed Tagovailoa so much that he plans to take him and his wife out to dinner. Hill emphasized the quarterback’s importance to the team, noting how much he values Tagovailoa’s leadership and play-calling on the field. His words underline the strong bond between the two players, which fuels Miami’s offense.

The Dolphins have struggled significantly in Tagovailoa’s absence, with a disappointing 1-3 record over the last four games. Miami’s offense ranks last in scoring, 31st in expected points added, and 29th in yards per game during this period. This drop in performance shows just how critical Tagovailoa’s presence is to the team’s success, as his leadership and skills directly impact their offensive capabilities.

Hill’s performance has notably declined without Tagovailoa, putting him on pace for a season-low in receiving yards since his rookie year. His lower production reflects Miami’s overall offensive issues during Tagovailoa’s absence, underscoring the importance of their quarterback-wide receiver connection. With Tagovailoa back, the Dolphins hope to reignite their offense and improve their standing as they face the Cardinals on Sunday.